What does it cost to bush hog an acre?
The cost to bush hog (brush hog) an acre depends chiefly on what you are cutting. Maintained grass or thin weeds is quick and inexpensive; thick brush and saplings are slower and hard on equipment. Use the calculator to compare the three real options (hiring a contractor, renting a cutter or doing it yourself) on your own acreage.
| Vegetation | Typical planning range (contractor) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light: maintained grass, thin weeds | $30–$75 / acre | Fast; often priced by the acre with a minimum charge. |
| Medium: tall weeds, overgrown pasture | $75–$150 / acre | Slower speed, more overlap and debris. |
| Heavy: brush and saplings up to about 3 in | $150–$300+ / acre | Slow, harder on equipment; may be priced hourly. |
| Quoted by the hour | $85–$120 / hour | Commonly quoted for a tractor with a 6-ft cutter; works out to roughly $30–$40 per acre in easy conditions. |
| Small jobs (under 1–2 acres) | $100–$250 minimum | Trip charges and minimums dominate small jobs. |
Hire, rent or DIY: how each is calculated
1. Hire a contractor
Cost = the greater of (acres × price per acre) and the minimum charge, plus any travel fee. Some contractors quote by the hour instead: switch the calculator to Per hour and it multiplies your machine hours by their hourly rate. Contractors bring the equipment, insurance and experience. For small or awkward jobs the minimum charge often sets the price.
2. Do it yourself with your own equipment
Cost = hours × (fuel + labor + tractor wear + cutter wear). Hours come from the rate calculation: acres ÷ ((width × speed × efficiency) ÷ 8.25). Put a value on your own time even if you are not paying yourself. It makes the comparison fair. This estimate covers running costs and excludes the purchase price of equipment you already own.
3. Rent a cutter
Cost = rental days × daily price + hours × (fuel + labor + tractor wear). Rental makes sense when you own a tractor but not a cutter, or need a size you do not own. Rental listings we checked ran from roughly $200 to $850 per day depending on whether you rent a cutter attachment or a tractor-and-cutter package, and many ask for a deposit. Remember pickup, delivery and fuel.
Brush hog rental cost
Renting is the middle option between hiring and owning. Listings we checked for a brush hog rental ran from roughly $200 to $850 per day, depending on whether you rent only a cutter attachment or a tractor-and-cutter package, and many require a deposit. Ask what is included (fuel, delivery, tractor, blade condition), how many hours make up a rental day and who pays for damage from hidden rocks or stumps. If you rent only the cutter, you also need a tractor with enough PTO horsepower for the size you choose. Enter the daily price you are quoted in the calculator, along with your machine hours from the bush hog acres per hour calculator method, to see whether renting beats hiring for your acreage.
Worked example: 10 acres of overgrown pasture
A 6-ft cutter at 4 mph with 80% efficiency covers 2.33 acres per hour, so 10 acres takes 4 h 18 min. With diesel at $3.80, a fuel burn of 4.5 gal/hr, labor valued at $20/hr and wear costs of $18/hr combined:
| Option | Total | Per acre |
|---|---|---|
| Hire a contractor ($100/ac) | $1,000 | $100 |
| Do it yourself | $237 | $23.68 |
| Rent a cutter ($200/day) | $411 | $41.10 |
Your numbers will differ. Edit any field above. Notice how DIY looks cheapest on running costs, but only if you already own a suitable tractor and cutter, and value your time realistically.
The machine hours behind the DIY and rental figures come from the same formula as the acres per hour calculator. Measure the area first with the acreage calculator, and if your lot is small, the mowing acres per hour calculator may be the better fit.
What drives the price?
- Vegetation density and height: the biggest factor. Brush, briars and saplings slow everything.
- Acreage: the more acres, the lower the price per acre, up to a point. Small jobs carry minimum charges.
- Terrain and access: slopes, wet ground, rocks, stumps, gates and fences add time and risk.
- Distance: travel time and fuel to the site.
- Equipment size: a wide, powerful setup covers ground faster but may cost more per hour.
- Season and demand: prices and availability change in peak growing season.
- Frequency: regular mowing of maintained land is cheaper than a one-time cut of neglected land.
How to keep the cost down
- Mow on a schedule so vegetation never becomes brush.
- Walk the field first: mark or remove rocks, wire, stumps and holes to prevent damage and slowdowns.
- Bundle several parcels or neighbors into a single visit.
- Get at least two written quotes, and confirm whether the price is per acre or per hour.
- Ask what the price includes: fence lines, edges, trimming, and debris handling.
Tell the contractor the acreage, vegetation type, terrain and any obstacles, and send photos. Ask about insurance, minimum charges and what happens if the job takes longer than expected.
Need to know how fast you can cut? See the bush hog acres per hour calculator. Clearing woodland rather than mowing? Use the land clearing cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to bush hog per acre?
Planning ranges are roughly $35–$75 per acre for maintained grass, $75–$150 for overgrown pasture and $150–$300 or more for brush and saplings, with minimum charges on small jobs. Local prices vary, so get quotes.
Is it cheaper to bush hog yourself?
If you already own a suitable tractor and cutter, running costs (fuel, wear and your time) are usually lower than hiring, especially for larger areas. If you must buy equipment, hiring is often cheaper for occasional or small jobs.
How much does it cost to rent a brush hog?
Listings we checked ranged from roughly $200 to $850 per day depending on the equipment (a cutter attachment versus a tractor-and-cutter package), often with a deposit. Enter your local daily price in the calculator, and remember delivery or pickup, fuel and your own tractor.
Why do contractors have minimum charges?
Travel, loading, setup and insurance cost the same whether the job is 1 acre or 10, so a minimum keeps small jobs viable.
How often should I bush hog?
Pastures and fence lines are commonly cut once or several times per growing season depending on vegetation growth and goals. Cutting more often keeps vegetation from becoming heavy brush and reduces cost per cut.
What is the difference between bush hogging and land clearing?
Bush hogging cuts vegetation such as grass, weeds and small brush. Land clearing removes trees, stumps and heavy growth using methods such as forestry mulching or dozers, and is priced far higher per acre.
What is the average cost per acre to bush hog?
Across the planning ranges above, a reasonable average cost per acre to bush hog is roughly $75 to $100 for typical overgrown pasture, higher for brush and lower for maintained grass. Your quote depends on vegetation, acreage and local rates.
Should I hire someone or bush hog it myself?
Use Hire a contractor to price having the work done, or Do it yourself to price your own fuel, labor and equipment wear. Compare the two totals the calculator gives you for your acreage.
Sources and further reading
Concepts on this page: Rotary cutter · Brush cutter · Acre
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